1. Mental Health and Teens
What to know
How to get help

2. Dr. Whitni Buckles
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

3. What is Mental health?
Youth who learn about mental health are more healthy than those who do not know about mental health (YAM, 2017).

4. Mental Health
Mental Health is how you think, feel and act in everyday life.
Your Mental Health is just as important as your physical health
Your Mental Health influences how you handle stress, make decisions and relate to other people.
No one in the world is free from problems

5. Mental Health Includes
Healthy relationships with family and friends
Connectedness
Positive habits
Good coping mechanisms
Awareness of mental illness

6. Mental health
Depression
Suicide

7. Seek help from a trained counselor
What is Depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.
DSM has a long list of symptoms:
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Seek help from a trained counselor

8. Why is it important to talk about suicide?
In a worldwide study of more than 12,000 adolescents
8.1% of them suffer from moderate to severe depressive symptoms
4.2% reported a lifetime suicide attempt.
United States Data

11. Talking about Suicide
Talking about suicide does not increase the risk of someone dying by suicide
It is the opposite.
Talking to someone who is at risk for suicide decreases their risk of dying

12. Is Mental Illness a Sin? We live in a Fallen world
Mental illness is not a character defect, a spiritual disorder or an emotional dysfunction. And chief of all, it's not a choice.
Past sins of family members and the individual might be the cause of the pain associated with mental illness.
The Bible gives support for those suffering (II Timothy 3:16)
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

13. Scripture and Mental Illness
David was troubled and battled deep despair
“My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Ps. 38:4
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:11
David: In many of the Psalms, he writes of his anguish, loneliness, fear of the enemy, his heart-cry over sin, and the guilt he struggled with because of it. We also see his huge grief in the loss of his sons in 2 Samuel 12:15-23 and 18:33. In other places, David’s honesty with his own weaknesses gives hope to us who struggle today:
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

14. Scripture and Mental Illness
Elijah was discouraged, weary, and afraid.
“I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4
After great spiritual victories over the prophets of Baal, this mighty man of God feared and ran for his life, far away from the threats of Jezebel. And there in the desert, he sat down and prayed, defeated and worn: 
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

15. Scripture and Mental Illness
Jonah was angry and wanted to run away.
“Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3
And even after God reached out to Jonah again with great compassion, he responded, “…I am angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:9
After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he fled as far away as could. And after a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, and then being saved and given a second chance, he obeyed. He preached God’s message to the people of Nineveh. God’s mercy reached out to all people who turned to Him. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah got mad:
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

16. Scripture and Mental Illness
Job suffered through great loss, devastation, and physical illness.
Though Job maintained his faithfulness to God throughout his life, he still struggled deeply through the trenches of pain
“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11
“I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26
“I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1
“Terrors overwhelm me…my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.” Job 30:15-17
This righteous man of God lost literally everything. So great was his suffering and tragedy that even his own wife said, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

17. Scripture and Mental Illness
Jeremiah wrestled with great loneliness, feelings of defeat, and insecurity.
Known as the “weeping prophet”
Cursed be the day I was born…why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” Jer. 20:14,18
Also known as the weeping prophet, Jeremiah suffered from constant rejection by the people he loved and reached out to. God had called him to preach, yet forbidden him to marry and have children. He lived alone, he ministered alone, he was poor, ridiculed, and rejected by his people. In the midst of it, he displayed great spiritual faith and strength, and yet we also see his honesty as he wrestled with despair and a great sense of failure:
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

18. Scripture and Mental Illness
Even Jesus Himself was deeply anguished over what lay before Him
Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Is. 53:3
“And He said to them, 'My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.' And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, 'Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'" Mark 14:34-36
 The Bible says that so great was his anguish, that he sweat “drops of blood.” Luke 22:44
He knew what was to come. He knew that God had called him to a journey of great suffering, he knew what must happen in order for us to live truly free. Our Savior and Lord was willing to pay the price on our behalf, but it wasn’t an easy road. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Is. 53:3
We can be assured, that in whatever we face, Jesus understands our weakness and suffering, our greatest times of temptation and despair, because he too traveled that road, yet without sin.
In the garden, through the night, Jesus prayed, all alone, calling out to His Father, 
Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com, 2017

19. The Bible does not keep Mental Health topics a secret

20. Who is at risk for suicide?
Risk Factors and Protective Factors

21. Risk Factors for Suicide Include
bully behavior
Bullying affects both the individual doing the bullying as well as the person being bullied
Vulnerability to stressors
emotional distress
exposure to violence
family conflict
relationship problems
lack of connectedness to school/sense of supportive school environment
alcohol and drug use
physical disabilities/learning differences
lack of access to resources/support
pathological Internet use (which is also associated with depression, anxiety, conduct problems)
(Durkee et al., 2012;YAM, 2017)

22. What are the Warning Signs of Suicide?
Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities 
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use
Behavioral problems 
Withdrawing from family and friends 
Sleep changes 
Changes in eating habits 
Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance 
Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines) 
Declining grades in school
Loss of interest in schoolwork 
Risk taking behaviors 
Does not respond as before to praise
Talks about suicide or wanting to die
Call 911 or get an adult’s help immediately if you or someone you know is at risk for suicide.

23. How can I help?
What to do if you think someone needs help.

24. Suicide Prevention Speak Up! Respond Quickly Offer help
Remember, it helps to talk.
Respond Quickly
If someone has a plan, respond immediately
Offer help
Do not judge the person or be angry
Take care of yourself
Get professional help
Licensed Counselor or call 911 for imminent danger
Encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number.  Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK ( ) to reach a trained counselor.
Social Media

25. How to Protect Against Mental Illness
Always seek care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
Find out who your resources are
MS- Tia Cavanaugh-Favors or Dina Furnish
HS- Becky Stowers, Dina Furnish, or Tom Flynn
Family and community support (connectedness)
Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
Learn coping skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
Engage in cultural and religious beliefs and traditions that support instincts for self-preservation

26. Reaching Out is the best way to deal with your feelings
Reach Out
Reaching Out is the best way to deal with your feelings

27. or the online Lifeline Crisis Chat.
Additional Resources
Call TALK ( )
or the online Lifeline Crisis Chat.
(Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.)
(National Council for Suicide Prevention)
(Suicide Prevention Resource Center)
(World Health Organization)
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
(National Institute for Mental Health)